Rivers of fun

Published
12:00 am CDT, Saturday, May 17, 2014

ALTON — The National Great Rivers Museum hosted its first of what museum employees hope will be many Great Rivers Festival. Featuring entertainment and education for the entire family, the event raised money for the Meeting of the Rivers Foundation that helps fund the educational outreach efforts of the National Great Rivers Museum.

“They help us do a lot of classroom work,” said Park Ranger Roxanne Krutsinger.

Krutsinger and the rest of the museum’s staff put together an event with 36 vendors that included everything from drinking beer from Global Brew to doing family-friendly science experiments with the National Great Rivers. The conservation police were on hand with animal pelts educating families about the importance of wildlife conservation.

Live music could also be enjoyed throughout the day. The Sky West Trio brought a unique jazz sound as they did covers and originals. The Blues Handle Band continued the music through the afternoon, and bluegrass act, Mississippi Sawyer Duo helped close down the event, which ended at five Saturday afternoon.

At the museum, visitors to the festival could enjoy live bird shows as well as reptile shows. There was also a live demonstration on how to cook and eat Asian carp.

“We call it eating aliens,” said Krutsinger. “It’s pretty clever because they are a foreign and invasive species.”

According to Krutsinger, the fish can be easily prepared and fried with the method shown at the live demonstration.

A fish noted for its delectability was also showcased in a special activity created to teach children the basics of fishing. They were able to practice on a pool full of baby catfish.

“It’s a catch and release game,” said Krutsinger. “Kids learn how to cast, bait, and take fish off a hook.”

After the event, some of the catfish will be presented in the museum’s aquarium while others will be used to stock Teal Pond near the Audubon Bird Sanctuary in West Alton.

“We want to get the word out to the fishermen out there,” Krutsinger added.

The National Great Rivers Museum is also going to have a summer camp series for children at least eight years of age. June 12-13 is Survivor: Riverlands. June 20 is Up a Creek Kayak Camp. July 7-10 is Adventures in Dirt: Can You Dig It? July 21 is Brain STEM event. There will also be a Riverlands Rush Biathlon at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton on June 14.

For more information, search the National Great Rivers Museum on Facebook.